Dry ore-concentrator.



' I a fiaten'ted Nov. 25, I902. H. M. SUTTON & w. L. & E. G. STEELE.

I DRY 0m: coNcEm'nAroB.

(Applicat on filed SBiJ t BO, 1'901.)

3 Shets-Sheet 2.

Patented Ndv, 25, I902, H. M. SUTTON & w. L. & E. a. STEELE;

7 DR NTRATOR.

on. ion filed e 30,, 1,901..)

3 Sheets-Sheei 3.

E1 Hg R E [NVE/VTORSI flmymellop Imam ATENT NICE.

QHENRY M. SUTTON, WALTER L. s EELE, AND EDWI e. STEELE, OF

DALLAS, TEXAS.

DRY ORE-CONCENTRATOR.

SPEGllFICATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 714,257, datedNovember 25, 1902.

Application filed September 30, 1901. Serial No. 77,090. (No model.)

1'0 whom/it may concern.- i Be it known that we, HENRY M. S TTON, WALTERL. STEELE, and EDWIN GooDwIN STEELE citizens of theUnited States,residiing at Dallas, in the county of Dallas, State of Texas, haveinvented certain new and use ful Improvements in Dry Ore-Concentrators,

of which the following is a specification, ref;-

erence being had therein to the accompanyiing drawings. This inventionrelates toa dry ore-concentrator, andparticularly to a structure cmanimproved structure embodying an inter? mittentlymoving belt havingriffles thereon 5o spective of one of the links in the conveyer- Y andadapted to pass over a reticulated surlfacewhich communicates with asource of air-pressure, whereby the air is adapted to pass through thebelt and act upon the material resting thereon. A further object of theinvention is to provide a noveland improved construction of parts forautomatically timing the operation of the air-pressure device so thatthe discharge through the pervious belt shall be at a time when saidbelt is at rest.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved constructionof parts for feeding the ore to the belt and also for receiving andretaining the fine gold or mineral which may pass through the perviousbelt;

Other objects and advantages of the in vention will hereinafter appearin the following description, and the novel features thereof will beparticularly pointed out in theaptratora Fig. 12 is a side elevationthereof. Fig. 3 is a detail vertical section of one means for securingthe belt, rifile, and adjacent parts in their operative relation. Fig. 4is a similar View of a modified construction of the same parts, and Fig.5 is a similar view of a further modification adapted to secure the samegeneral results. Fig 6 is a detail perchain. shown in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 isa similar View of an adjacent link. Fig. 8 is a vertical transversesection through a reversible form of riffle and means for securing thesame in position. fied form of rifiie, and Fig. 10 is a further modifiedform showing the application of a metallic riffle above ascreen-surface.

Fig. 9 is a similar view of a modi- Like letters of reference indicatelike parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. I t

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the letter C indicates a framework of anydesired character-for instance, as shown, composed of a base O anduprights 0 adapted to support the frame 0 at opposite ends. Upon theframe 0 an inclined hopper-frame C is suitably supported, one endthereof being elevated by means of a standard 0 and upon this frame thehopper Ais adjustably mountedforinstance, by means of the blocks A atopposite sides thereof. The hopper A is provided with an opening A atits lower portion communicating with a chute B, having a slatted or openbottom B, comprising what is known in the art as a grizzly, whichpern'iits the small particles of ore fed from the hopper to drop uponthe concentrator before the larger particles reach the same as they passfrom the end of the bars B. Mounted within the frame 0 is the rockingworking-table E, which may be support ed by any desired means-forinstance, by means of a spring-arm N at the lower end of the table. Thisarm is securedto the base at one end and at its opposite end engages aprojection or pin N, carried by the lower end of the inclinedworking-table, while the opposite end portion of the table is supportedby aspring N secured at its lower end to the base 0 and adapted at itsupper end to engage a pin or projection N extending from theworking-table E. This table is provided upon its upper face with areticulated surface W of any desired characterfor instance, a perforatedplate, as shown in Figs. 3, 4, and

This reticulated surface is supported in position by any desiredmeans-for instance, cross-bars WV, located at suitable intervals, whileat the lower end of the working table a bearingroller L is journaled,and at the upper end a similar roller M is likewise supported, thelatter being provided with pins or teeth M, adapted to engage conveyingmeans secured to the edge of a pervious belt H, which is provided uponits surface with a series of riffles H, as will be more fullyhereinafter described. Below the reticulated plate W a connection ismade with any suitable source of airsupply-for instance, as illustratedherein, a depending frame is provided composed of sidewalls F and endwalls F, to which flexible members J of a bellows are secured, while theopposite ends of the flexible members are closed by means of a bottomplate J, having an inwardly-opening valve J and provided at its lowerportion with a pocket K, adapted to receive and retain any gold or othermineral which may pass through the pervious belt into the bellows,fromwhich pocket the mineral may be removed by means of a door or closure K.

Any desired means may be used for intermittently moving the riffle-belt, imparting motion to the table,and operating the bellows; but asillustrating one desirable form a driving-shaft P is shown as supportedupon suitablebearings in the frame 0 and provided with a cam P, adaptedto contact with a pin or projection P carried at one end of a pitman 0,which is pivotally connected to its opposite end to a pin or projectionO, extending from the working-table. The free end of this pitman O isprovided with a bifurcated portion 0 adapted to fit upon opposite sidesof the shaft P, so as to bring the projection P into the same verticalplane as the cam P in order that the cam may strike the pin and forcethe table in one direction, thus placing the springs N and N undertension to restore the table to its initial position. It will be notedthat the pin P, which may carry a friction-roller, does not rest incontact with the cam when the parts are without motion, so that thereaction of the springs throws this pin or roller into contact with aface of the cam, thus producing a bumping blow in addition to therocking action imparted to the table. For the purpose of operating thebellows a disk crank S is applied to the driving-shaftP and haseccentrically mounted thereon one end B of a crank-rod R, which extendsto the connecting-rod R from the bottom of the bellows, so as to imparta reciprocatory motion thereto. In order to secure from this samedriving-shaft and disk crank a proper intermittent feed for theriffiebelt, a connecting-rod Q is secured at its lower end Q to thebellows-rod R and at its upper end Q connected to the free end of alever G, which carries a spring-held pawl g, adapted to cooperate with aratchet-wheel G secured upon the journal or axis of the roll M, so thatin the downward movement of the free end of the lever G a partialrotation is imparted to said roll in order to feed the belt over thereticulated face of the bellows-box in the downward movement of thebellows and when no air is passed through the belt.

As illustrating a desired form of securing the riffle to the belt and ofdriving the belt a construction is shown in Fig. 3 in which a slot Y isprovided at the sides of the workingtable by any desired meansforinstance, a framework Y, supported by the side board F of thebellows-box-which slot is in the same horizontal plane as the upper faceof the reticulated cover-plate W. The riffie-holder V in this form ofthe invention is placed beneath the pervious belt H, while the riffie His adapted to seat upon the holder V, thus securing the rifile to thebelt and permitting its removal when desired. The outer end of theriffie-holder V is passed between the denbled or folded belt R andsecured to the lower member thereof, while each of these belts isprovided with an aperture S at regular intervals, adapted to mesh withpins or teeth in the roll M, as shown in Fig. 1, which serve to keep theopposite edges of the pervious belt in exact alinement with each other.It will be seen that in assembling the belt or changing the cloththereof in case of a tear or other injury the riflies H may be removedand the cloth belt laid over the riffie-holders V and placed between thedouble belts R after which the riffles are replaced, which holds thecloth securely in position. This construction of double belt preventsthe air from escaping through the slot Y around the edges of the cloth,as would otherwise occur. A guard-strip X of leather or other suitablematerial is placed at the side of the table to prevent the ore fromleaving the table and working into the slot Y.

In Fig. 4 a further modification is shown embodying the sameconstruction practically, with the exception that the reticulated coverW is placed in a lower horizontal plane than the slot Y, while therifl'le-holder V is provided with an upturned or angular end portion Vby which it is secured to the double belt R in the manner hereinbeforedescribed. In the present form of the invention a link Z, provided witha securing-lip Z, is shown as disposed within the slot Y and secured tothe upper layer of the double belt in order to form a means for movingthe pervious belt intermittently.

In Fig. 5 another modification is shown in which the side boards,riffles, and adjacent parts are adapted to be constructed entirely ofmetal, the riffles being of the general construction shown in Fig. 10.In this form of the invention the side plate Y is connected with anangle-plate Y to form a slot Y while the upper projection X of thisplate Y is adapted to receive a guard-strip X In this form of theinvention the reticulated plate \V is adapted to be secured in positionby means of the flange W, bolted to the plate Y while the riffie-plate Vis provided with the angular portion V, as shown in Fig. 6, which is ingmembers of the belt.

bolted directlyto the lug Z, carried by the link Z. This link cooperateswith a link plate adapted to pass over the teeth or pins upon the roll Mand between the riffle-hold- Links Z are provided having at one side anopen slotted portion Z adapted to receive the edges of the cloth beltbetween the riffles, and thus carry the belt to prevent sagging thereof.

In Fig. 8 a form of riffle is shown at H which is adapted to be securedto the riftleholder V having the curved upper face, by

means of a securing screw or bolt W This riffie has opposite inclinedfaces and is adapted to be reversed, while the attachment to the holderV is such as to avoid all sharp edges or corners for the belt to travelover or around, thus preventinginjury to the belt.

In Fig. 9 a. form of riffie is shown at H having an angular seat adaptedto rest upon the holder V and to be secured thereto by a securing meansW passed through the holder in the under side of the belt.

. .In Fig. 10 a form of metallic riffle is shown at H adapted to besecured to a holdingplate V by means of a fastening device W so as toaccomplish the objects of the invention. In this form of the invention ascreensurface W is shown, which is regarded as the equivalent of thereticulated surface W shown in other figures of the drawings.

By reference to the foregoing description it willbe seen that in theoperation of the machinea rocking and bumping movement is imparted tothe table, while a pneumatic ac- ,tion is obtained upon the perviousbelt, by means of which the machine is automatically self-cleaning andcapable of two independent concentrates in which the fine flour metalwhich may pass through the pervious belt and the larger values andgravel which are carried over the roll M are deposited, through thehopper I, into any desired receptacle. In securing this action thedisposition of the feed-hopper is an important element, as by securingthe feed of the larger material at a point below the longitudinal centerof the riflie-belt a better separation and concentration is secured. Itwill be observed that the larger-gravel and ore will be discharged fromthe lowerend of the chute or grizzly B, while .thesmaller particles willpass through the slats of the grizzly and reach the pervious belt at apoint nearer its 11 pperend. The smaller values thus reach the tablefirst and are caught in the riffles, while thelarger gravel falling uponthe table at the lower end of the grizzly reaches the riffles alreadypartially filled with material which. has passed down the table and isconsequently more easily forced over the same in the rocking and bumpingaction of the table until it is deposited at the lower end of thetablewith the least possible work and in the shortest time, as such gravelusually contains only large nuggets, which can easily force their waydownward to the riffle. The

portion of the table above the feed-hopper is certain amount of frictionbetween the larger particles and gravel by which. thefine metal adheringto such particles is removed therefrom and falls upon the belt, throughwhich it passes in the downward or suction movement of the bellows, thusfalling to the bottom thereof and finally collecting in the pocket K,from which it can be removed. At each opening or downward movement ofthe bellows an upward movement of the belt is imparted through the rod Qand lever Gto present a clean riffle at the bottom of the beltsimultaneously with the discharge of a riffle at the upper end of thebelt. It will be observed that the belt does not move through the upwardstroke of the bellows, so that the action of the air upon the ore is notdistributed, as the intermittent action only occurs in the opening orsuction movement of the bellows. The rocking or bumping action upon thetable causes the metal or values which are heavier than the gangue toreach the table first, where they are securely held in the riffles andsettled therein by the blow or bump from the cam, after which the gentlerocking of the table by the springs upon which it is supported furthertends to settle the metal in the riffles and even the layers of ore uponthe table and also to shake the top layers downward toward the lower endof thetable, where they are discharged into a suitable receptacle orconveyer. It will be noted that the intake J in the bottom of thebellows is held under tension by means of springs, as shown in Fig. 1,in order to secure the desired suction through the belt in the downwardmovement of the bellows, although it is desirable that some air shouldbe admitted through this intake in order to permit the free feedmovement of the belt through the downward movement of the bellows.

In the use of stationary riffles the same constantly become clogged, forno matter how many times the ore is screened nor how carefully there isalways a certain amount of fine gold which adheres to the largerparticles and is brushed oif on thetable by the friction of theparticles against each other. This fine mineral ordinarily remains onthe table and eventually packs in the riffles, causing a loss of thegold, while in the present invention the table or belt carrying theriffles is moved so as to present clean rifiles at the bottom and todeposit the values of line gold at the top. The structure hereinpresented completely prevents the clogging of the rifiies, which 1 &

It is obvious that changes may be made in the details of constructionand configuration of the several parts Without departing from the spiritof the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is 1. In a dryore-concentrator, a framework, a working-table thereon, an inclinedpervious belt movably mounted on said table to discharge by gravity atits lower end, an airchamber beneath the belt having an inclined bottomthereto, a receptacle within said chamber at the lower end thereof tocollect and retain by gravity metal falling in said chamber, means forproducing an intermittent blast and suction action upon a face of saidbelt, and means for moving said belt during the suction action;substantially as specified.

2. In a dry ore-concentrator, a framework, a working-table thereon, aninclined pervious belt movably mounted on said table to discharge bygravity at its lower end, an airchamber beneath the belt having aninclined bottom thereto, a receptacle Within said chamber at the lowerend thereof to collect and retain by gravity metal falling in saidchamber, means for producing an intermittent blast and suction actionupon a face of said belt, means for moving said belt during the suctionaction, a reticulated surface in supporting contact with said belt, andmeans for mounting said table to permit a reciprocation thereof in adownward plane at an angle to the base; substantially as specified.

3. In a dry ore-concentrator, a framework, a working-table therein, aninclined pervious belt to permit the passage of fine ore therethroughand movably mounted upon said table to discharge by gravity at its lowerend, riffles secured to said belt, a discharge at one end of said beltfrom said riffles, means for longitudinally vibrating said table andbelt, a receptacle beneath said belt comprising an inclined bellowshaving at its lower end a pocket to retain metal passing therethrough,means for actuating said bellows to produce an intermittent blast andsuction action upon a face of said belt, and means for intermittentlymoving said belt; substantially as specified.

4. In a dry ore-concentrator, a framework, a working-table therein, aninclined pervious bolt to permit the passage of fine ore therethroughand movably mounted upon said table to discharge by gravity at its lowerend, riffles secured to said belt, a discharge at one end of said beltfrom said riffies, a receptacle beneath the lower end of said belt toretain metal passing therethrough, a bellows comprising part of saidreceptacle for producing an intermittent blast and suction action upon aface of said belt, means for intermittently moving said belt, and meansfor longitudinally vibrating said table and belt; substantially asspecified.

5. In a dry ore-concentrator, a framework,

a working-table therein, an inclined pervious belt to permit the passageof fine ore therethrough and movablymonnted upon said table to dischargeby gravity at its lower end, riffles secured to said belt, a dischargeat one end of said belt from said rifiies, a reticulated surface uponwhich the upper layer of said belt travels, a receptacle beneath saidbelt comprising a bellows having a pocket at its lower end to retainmetal passing therethrough, means for operating said bellows to producean intermittent blast and suction action upon a face of said belt, meansfor intermittently moving said belt, means for longitudinally vibratingsaid table and belt, and a feed-chute extending longitudinally of saidbelt having a slatted bottom; substantially as specified.

6. In a dry ore-concentrator, a framework, a working-table therein, anendless pervious belt to permit the passage of fine ore therethrough andmovably mounted upon said table, rifiles secured to said belt, areceptacle beneath said belt to retain metal passing therethrough, meansfor producing an intermittent blast and suction action upon the face ofsaid belt next said receptacle, means for intermittently moving saidbelt, and a reticulated surface in supporting contact with said belt andabove said blast and suction device; substantially as specified.

7. In a dry ore-concentrator, the combination with a framework, of aworking-table supported therein for vibration, an inclined bellowssecured to the under face of said table, a reticulated surface at theupper face of said table, an endless pervious belt in supporting contactwith said surface and provided with riffles adapted to pass over saidreticulated surface, a discharge from the riffies of said belt at oneend thereof, an 'orecollecting pocket at the lower end of said bellows,and means for vibrating said workingtable; substantially as specified.

8. In a dry ore-concentrator, the combination with a framework, of aworking-table supported therein upon spring-supports for longitudinalvibration, a bellows secured to the under face of said table, areticulated surface at the upper face of said table, an endless perviousbelt provided with riifles adapted to pass over said reticulatedsurface, a discharge from the riiiies of said belt at one end thereof, adriving-shaft provided with a cam, a pitman connected to said tablebetween its ends and having a bifurcated end adapted to embrace saiddriving-shaft, and a projection from said pitman end in the path of thecam and normally held out of contact with the shortest face of said camby said spring-supports; substantially as specified.

9. In a dry ore-concentrator, the combina tion with a framework, of aworking-table supported therein for vibration, a bellows secured to theunder face of said table, a reticulated surface at the upper face ofsaid table, an endless pervious belt in supporting ICO contact with saidsurface and provided with riffies adapted to pass over said reticulatedsurface, a discharge from the riffies of said belt at one end thereof, adriving-shaft provided with a cam, a pitman connected to said tablebetween its ends and having a bifurcated end adapted to embrace saiddrivingshaft, a projection from said pitman norm ally held out ofcontact with the shortest face of said cam, a crank carried by saiddrivingshaft, and a rod extending from said crank to the lower portionof said bellows; substantially as specified.

10. In a dry ore-concentrator, the combination with a framework, of aworking-table supported therein for vibration, a bellows secured to theunder face of said table, a reticulated surface at the upper face ofsaid table, an endless pervious belt in supporting contact with saidsurface and provided with.

said belt, and a connecting-rod from the free end of said lever to therod from said crank; substantially as specified.

11. In a dry ore-concentrator, the combination with a framework, of aworking-table supported therein for vibration, a bellows secured to theunderface of said table, areticulated surface at the upper face of saidtable, an endless pervious belt provided with riffles adapted to passover said reticulated surface, a discharge from the riffies of said beltat one end thereof, a driving-shaft provided with a cam, a pitmanconnected to said table and having a bifurcated end, adapted to embracesaid driving-shaft, a projection from said pitman spaced from theshortest face of said cam, a crank carried by said driving-shaft, a rodextending from said crank to the lower portion of said bellows, aratchetlever for intermittentlyfeeding a drivingroller for said belt, aconnecting-rod from the free end of said lever to the rod from saidcrank, and a feed-hopper having a dischargechute at its lower portionwith an apertured bottom to permit the feed of fine and larger materialat different points upon said belt;

substantially as specified.-

12. In a dry ore-concentrator, the combination with an inclinedwork-table, a reticulated surface for the same, a pervious belt insupporting contact with said surface and provided with rifilesupon itsface, and a feeding-chute disposed below the mid-length of said belt andhaving a slotted bottom extendj inglongitudinally of the belt todischarge different grades of material at different points upon saidbelt; substantially as specified.

13. In a dry ore-concentrator, the combination with a working-table, ofa reticulated surface thereon, a traveling pervious belt upon said tablein supporting contact with said surface, riffles secured to said belt, abellows secured to the lower portion of said table, an ore-receptacle atone end of said bellows, means for operating said bellows, and means formoving said belt during the movement of the bellows in one direction;substantially as specified.

14. In a dry ore-concentrator, the combination with a working-table, ofa reticulated surface thereon, a traveling pervious belt upon said tablein supporting contact with said surface, riffles secured to said belt,a. bellows secured to the lower portion of said table,means foroperating said bellows to blast through the belt when at rest, means formoving said belt during the movement of the bellows to produce a suctionthrough the belt, a pocket at the lower portion of said bellows, and aninlet to said bellows; substantially as specified.

15. In a dry ore-concentrator, a pervious belt, a slotted casing at theside of said belt, a conveying means for said belt adapted to receiveand overlap the edge of said belt, a riffie-holder extending beneathsaid belt and secured at its outer endto said conveying means, and ariffie secured to said holder above said belt; substantially asspecified.

16. In a dry ore-concentrator, a pervious belt, a slotted casing at theside of said belt, a conveying means for said belt adapted to receiveand overlap the edge of said belt, a riffic-holder extending beneathsaid belt and secured at its outer end to said conveying means, a rifflesecured to said holder above said belt, and a guard-flap disposedbetween said slots and the center of the belt; substantially asspecified.

17. In a dry ore-concentrator, a belt, a riffieholder adapted to lieupon one side of said belt, and a riffie having opposite beveled facessecured to said holder at the opposite side of said belt; substantiallyas specified. U

18. In a dry ore-concentrator, a traveling belt provided at its edgeswith conveying means to embrace the same, a riffie-holderextendingtransversely beneath said belt and secured to said conveying means, anda rifiie secured to-said holder above said belt; substantially asspecified.

19. In a dry ore-concentrator, the combination with an inclinedworking'table, of a pervious belt to permit the passage of fine oretherethrough and adapted to travel thereover, riffies upon the surfaceof said belt adapted to discharge over the upper end thereof, and aninclined bellows-casing having a pocket at its lower portion to retainfiner metal which may pass through said belt; substantially asspecified.

20. In a dry oreconcentrator, the combination with an inclinedworking-table, of a reticulated surface thereto, a pervious belt topermit the passage of fine ore therethrough and adapted to travelthereover in contact with a reticulated surface, riffles upon thesurface of said belt adapted to discharge over the upper portionthereof, a bellows beneath said belt provided with a pocket at one endto retain finer metal which may pass through said belt, and means forproducing a blast of air through said belt, while at rest for agitatingthe material thereon; substantially as specified.

21. In a dry ore-concentrator, the combination with an inclinedworking-table, of a pervious belt to permit the passage of fine oretherethrough and adapted to travel thereover in contact with areticulated surface, riffles upon the surface of said belt adapted todischarge over the upper portion thereof, a bellows beneath said beltprovided with a pocket at one end to retain finer metal which may passthrough said belt, means for producing a blast of air through said beltwhile at rest for agitating the material thereon, and means forproducing a suction through said belt to remove therefrom particles ofmetal carried thereby; substantially as specified.

22. In a dry ore-concentrator, the combination with an inclinedworking-table, of a pervious belt to permit the passage of fine oretherethrough and adapted to travel thereover in contact with areticulated surface, riffles upon the surface of said belt adapted todischarge over the upper portion thereof, a bellows beneath said beltprovided with a pocket at one end to retain finer metal which may passthrough said belt, means for producing a blast of air through said beltwhile at rest for agitating the material thereon, means for producing asuction through said belt to remove therefrom particles of metal carriedthereby, and means for moving said belt simultaneously with said suctionaction; substantially as specified.

23. In a dry ore-concentrator, the combination with an inclinedworking-table, of a pervious belt to permit the passage of fine oretherethrough and adapted to travel thereover in contact with areticulated surface, riffles upon the surface of said belt adapted todischarge over the upper portion thereof, a bellows beneath said beltprovided with a pocket at one end .to retain finer metal which may passthrough said belt, means for producing a blast of air through said beltwhile at rest for agitating the material thereon, means for producing asuction through said belt to remove therefrom particles of metal carriedthereby, means for moving said belt simultaneously with said suctionaction, and a feed device adapted to feed fine material at a higherpoint upon said belt than the coarser material; substantially asspecified.

24. In a dry ore-concentrator, the combination with an inclinedworking-table, of a pervious belt to permit the passage of fine oretherethrough and adapted to travel thereover in contact with areticulated surface, riffies upon the surface of said belt adapted todischarge over the upper portion thereof, a bellows beneath said beltprovided with a pocket at one end to retain finer metal which may passthrough said belt, means for producing a blast of air through said beltWhile at rest for agitating the material thereon, means for producing asuction through said belt to re move therefrom particles of metalcarried thereby, means for moving said belt simultaneously with saidsuction action, a feed device adapted to feed fine material at a higherpoint upon said belt than the coarser material, and means for producinga rocking and bumping action of said table during the concentration ofore thereon; substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof .we affix our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

HENRY M. SUTTON. WALTER L. STEELE. EDWIN G.'STEELE. Witnesses:

J. O. JOHNSON, EDWIN J. CARONS.

